My African Adventure
Photo gallery | ||
Blesbuck |
Springbuck |
Impala |
Warthog |
Grey Duiker |
Mountain Reedbuck |
Common Reedbuck
|
My
African adventure I
don’t know if you could characterise me as a experienced hunter but the
experience in Africa was by far the greatest until now. Approximately a
year ago I talked to some of my hunting college (Niels and Rie) if we
should try out hunting in Africa. They were in on that idea. After an
intense investigation on the internet in order to try to compare the
different offers the choice fell on Nadania Safaris in Roskilde. After
many, long and informative talks with Steen from Nadania Safaris we
ordered a trip to South Africa more specific the Kwazulu Natal province. It is
correct that some papers has to be filled out in order to import and
export arms in South Africa, but Steen could quickly give us the documents
that was needed. There
after the time until the departure (27 marts 2007) should be used to the
best. Nearly every weekend was used on the shooting range both after
stationary targets and after mowing targets. I can only recommend that
some training with the riffle is done before a safari. A good practise can
be essential in those few seconds there is to shoot. After a
relative long flight (with no problems) and a drive of 500 km we arrived
at the farm (Brakfontein Wildplass). The farm was as you can imagine when
you are reading stories from Africa. Not a house in sight and huge fields.
At Brakfontein mainly cattle and maize is farmed. At the
arrival at the lodge we were greeted by our stalkers (professional
hunters), Roy, Amanda and John. We quickly got in a good talk and it was
soon clear to us that these three hunters was top professionals and would
do what ever it took to give us a experience for life and let me tell you at once we got the
experience of a lifetime. We have arranged it so that Niels, Rie and I should have a personal hunter – an arrangement that I only can recommend as the bond to the professional hunter by this 1:1 hunting becomes very near. The hunt is also more efficient in 1:1 hunting but I think that the relation to the professional hunter is the main thing. During
the evening it was arranged in such a way that Rie would follow Roy. Niels
would go with John and I got Amanda as personal hunter. Every
body that has been stalking and been successful knows that you got a
special relation to your stalker/professional hunter. I also got a special
relation to my professional hunter and the fact that is was a beautiful
woman with a enormous insight in the animal life and eyesight as an eagle
did only improve on the relation. It may well be that the following text
shown signs of my fascination of Amanda but it has to be so. The day
after our arrival it was time to check the riffles to check if there has
happened something by transportation. Already on our way to the shooting
range we saw a lot of game (springbuck; warthog and a variety of birds)
and we already got an idea of how dense the game is in South Africa. We made
control shooting at 50, 100 and 200 meters. I had to adjust my riffle four
clicks but there was no indication of major damage – phy. |
Giraffes on the Savanna |
My blesbuck |
View over the hunting area |
Almost
right after the control shooting we were off hunting. On the way out in
the felt we had the great experience to get very close ( 20 – 30 meters) to
four giraffes. We also
saw big herds of wildebeest, springbuck, blesbuck and impala. It was a
very big experience for us and we could not comprehend that we really was
in Africa. The
hunting this morning took place from a African kind of a hide which is a
round circle of stones where you are hiding and waits for the animals to
pass. We have not been there very long before a herd of wildebeest came in
to about 75 meters. It was not the wildebeest that was the target this
morning so we only enjoyed the sight of them. After
aprox. half an hours later we got sight of a small herd of blesbuck that
was slowly coming against us. Now the hunting was really starting and the
adrenaline was pumping. Amanda
sized the herd and decided that there was at least two worthy trophies in
the herd. As the herd was at a distance of aprox. 160 meters I took a shot
at the animal that was pointed out by Amanda. I have to be honest
and say that the practise of shooting at this distance is minimal for me.
The blesbuck wandered off stooping. I shoot two more times where after I
could see that further shooting was pointless. We vent for the place of
the first shoot and Amanda and her tracker found some blood. I was
embarrassed and apologized
my bad shooting. Amanda was a good sport and only said that I have to get
used to shooting in the high grass. The grass was aprox to the hip. After
a short time Amanda heard over the radio that the blesbuck was shoot dead
by a neighbour
post and I was glad that the animal should not suffer more. Now
my first African game could be admired. Of course I had no chance in
evaluating the trophy size but I was very glad for my blesbuck and Amanda
had seen him as a good representative of the species. All the professional
hunters and my hunting college gather together around the blesbuck and
there was made preparation for photos. It was soon clear to us that this
type of work the professional hunters had made often and it was made very
professional. Then
there was gathering and transport to the lodge for brunch. It was quit
unreal to me – I have only been hunting in Africa for a couple of hours
and already I have got my first trophy. In
the afternoon it was out hunting again and we chose again to sit in the
hides and wait for the animals. Amanda,
her tracker Denis and I have been sitting in the hide for aprox 1 hours
when a big herd of spring buck was mowing in front of the hide. Amanda
quickly pointed out the biggest springbuck in the herd and I took a shot.
The springbuck went down but as we got a little bit closer it could be
seen that the buck was still alive and I had to shoot again. It
was a very nice springbuck and there was again taken some nice pictures
even it was getting a little dark. My
first day hunting in Africa had given me two magnificent animals and even
that my shooting was not optimal I was very happy. In
the evening there was a good time around the campfire and many histories
was told that evening. The next day started with goose hunting, but the geese would not fly properly – I had three sling shot after geese but with no results – maybe some training with the shotgun before next hunting season. |
View over the hunting area (in the mittle a rhino is standing) |
Vortesvin, Warthog, Intibane (Dansk, Engelsk, Zulu) |
Herd of Eland
|
On
the way home from goose hunting we suddenly discovered some guinea
fowl which also where allowed game. We tried to drive the guinea fowl as
ordinary pheasants but at this occasion I did not get a chance for a
shoot. Niels got two. After
brunch we were hunting with the riffle again. Amanda and I has now decided
to take a stalk in an area and that turned out to be very exciting. While
we are standing on a kopje (small stone hill) we spotted a herd of impala
aprox. 400 meters away. The wind was not in our favour but we got around
the herd and that despite that we should be careful not to spoke some
wildebeest and two eland bulls that were standing on the other side of the
kopje – that was real hunting. We got
around the herds of impala and were aprox. 80 meters away. In the herd
there was three big impala trophies and Amanda got one pointed out for me.
I felt that I could take a good shoot but unfortunately it was a lung shot
and I had to shoot one more time before the impale was dead. The African
game is in my opinion very though. I also realized that per instinct was
lifting my shoots due to the high grass. One the other hand I was glad
that no one of the magnificent animals that I shoot were suffering very
long. My impala was really really nice and I do not think that I have seen
a nicer skin on an animal (including our own reed roe buck). The
impala was shoot away for the common road so we had to carried it some
distance before the animal could be loaded onto the car. But when you have
got such a beautiful animal a little work don’t matter a thing. Then
it was time for lunch and during the lunch I became aware that I now
already had achieved to get three magnificent animals and hasn’t really
realized it. I recognized that there already had been so many impressions
and that there would come many more. I could not comprehend them all and I
decided only to enjoy the moment and then deal with impressions later.
After
a little break in the worst heat (35 – 40 C) Amanda, her tracker and I
went hunting again. This afternoon we had a very good stalk where we among
other thing should get past a herd of wildebeest. We had the luck that the
wildebeest actually chased
some warthog out of the dense rush. The herd of warthog went out on the
savannah and we were concerned that we have lost the herd. But Amanda got
them spotted again. Although we where as close as 80 meters it was almost
impossible to se the warthog in the high grass. Suddenly a chance appeared
and I was ready and let the bullet fly. The warthog turn on a dime and ran
the other way. I managed to shoot one more time – so the practice in
Denmark paid out. After a couple minutes we could go to have a look at the
warthog. I have never in my life seen such a big pig including my hunting
trips in Germany. Again some very nice pictures was taken which I have to
live on until I received the trophies. As
it almost was tradition there was real cosy atmosphere a the campfire that
evening and the pleasant atmosphere was spiced with the fact that Niels
and I had to be baptized as African hunters. In the effort not to spoil
the experience for hunters in the future on the African continent I will
not describe the procedure in detail. I can mentioned that the baptize was
rounded off with a kiss from Amanda – but I am not certain that this
part of the ceremony is carried out all over Africa. The next morning we started out on the car – I don’t know if Amanda could sense that now I really needed some time to comprehend the experience but we were on the car together with Roy and Rie most of the day. This day Rie had the skills to get close to a blue wildebeest. The wildebeest got a good bullets in the heart and ran aprox. 100 meter before it went down. It was Rie’s first African trophy so she was very happy. |
Blue Wilderbeast hunted by Rie |
Jakson Frankolin |
Giraffes on savanna |
When
we were loading the wildebeest on a tractor (it’s a fairly big animal) I
almost accidentally looked around and under a tree aprox. 300 – 400
meters away a duiker was standing grassing unconcerned that we were making
a lot of noise with the tractor and talking. It was quickly decided that
Amanda and I should try to stalk the duiker. In the stalk the high grass
was a good help and we were getting to aprox. 100 meters from the animal.
After Amanda had said OK I took a shoot and the duiker was dead on his
feet after in good bullet in the heart. We had by luck got two good
trophies in a distance af 500 – 600 meters apart – Yes Africa is
unbelievable. And
as if this was not enough Rie could bring down a nice impala on the way
home and it was still morning.
After
a short break in the midday heat we went bird shooting. We had the luck
that one of the neighbour came with a lovely Wiemeraner. We could now
proceed with the hunting for Francolins and it was nice to see a good and
secure dog working. This afternoon Niels and I got four birds together
even if the major part has to be granted to Niels – Its that thing with
the practice with the shotgun. In
the evening there was again a good time by the campfire and Rie could now
be baptized as African hunter. Her ceremony was not as extensive as the
one Niels and I got but she got no kiss from Amanda. I
had already experienced a lot and got trophies I only had fantasized
about. As we still got a couple of days left I had to ask Amanda what she
would propose that we tried out. In her opinion we should now try to get
close to a mountain reedbuck so we agreed to try that already next
morning. As
the name indicate the mountain reedbuck lives in the mountains so next
morning we started off in a mountainous part of the farm. After a stalk
off aprox 30 minutes we sad down in order to study the opposite mountain
side. After a short while Amanda and her tracker has spotted a small herd
of Mountain reedbuck and in the herd there was a good buck. Now
the only concern was to get over on the other side without spooking some
other animals. It will seems unbelievable to you but actually we got a
little bit angry with a blesbuck that where standing right in our route.
We got around the blesbuck and came to a distance of aprox. 80 meters of
the mountain reedbuck without any notice. The riffle came slowly on the
sticks. The buck was facing us a little but I felt that I could deliver a
good shot and after the OK from Amanda I took the shot. The buck
disappeared in the shot and four female mountain reedbuck that were close
by didn’t react at all. After we have enjoyed this scene a couple of
minutes we went forward to the buck. The females didn’t flee before we
were about 40 meters away. The
buck was hit angled from the front but was after my best guess dead on his
feet. Hereafter the trophies could be admired. The trophy is very
interesting as the horn is pointed forward. Amanda told me that it was a
very big buck – I had to admit again that my knowledge about the
mountain reedbuck is so that I had no chance to estimate the size but I
was glad that I had brought down a good representative of the species but
the hole stalk will be something that I will remember for a long time.
Here
after we had to get the buck down from the mountain and onto the car. After
lunch there was just time for a short nap hereafter it was out in the felt
again with the riffle. I had already long time ago give up to comprehend
all the experience. After a recommendation from Amanda we would now try to
get close to a common reedbuck. We were stalking in an area with dense
rush and suddenly a common reedbuck got up only 30 meter in front of us
but it was a wily gentleman so he quickly disappeared in the rush again. |
Giraffes on savanna |
Amanda and I with a Mountain Reedbuck |
Niels with his Warthog. It is the warthog in the front |
This
afternoon was the first stalk that Amanda and I had have where I didn’t
shoot anything – not that I was dissatisfied – not at all. It was
agreed that we now would try to go specific after this common reedbuck. The
next day it was the last day of the hunt – we could not understand where
all that days could go so fast and could not comprehend all the fantastic
experiences we have had. Amanda, her tracker and I would the last day give
the common reedbuck we have seen the afternoon before a chance more.
The
stalk was careful planed so that it was a hope that the buck not would go
into the rush again. This morning we had the experience to stay 15 meter
(in good wind) away from tree wildebeest. They didn’t know that we where
there. We used some time to stay and observe as Amanda and her stalker has
seen a glimpse of a common reedbuck that disappeared in the high grass –
as usually I haven’t seen a thing. We
where slowly stalking out on the savannah and suddenly the buck got up
aprox. 150 meters away but he disappeared with out a chance for a shoot.
We continued the way where the buck has disappeared. We came to a little
tree and suddenly not one buck but three reedbuck is standing not more
than 60 meters away. The riffle quickly got on the sticks and as one of
the buck was standing good I took the shoot. Hereafter
there was great confusion but luckily Amanda keeps the overview and sees
that the buck ran for a short while and then got down. Even such a large
animal as a common reedbuck can be very difficult to find in the shoulder
high grass. Suddenly I see
some movement and we can go up to the buck and I have to shoot him in the
heart. Now we could admire the nice reedbuck. My first shoot was a lung shot and would have killed the buck after a short while but I am glad that we found him quickly and could kill him. I’m not 100 % sure that it was the buck that we had seen the other day but that I didn’t have to think about in the moment where three bucks where standing in front of me. The
buck was moved to a place with shorter grass and some nice photos was
taken with the deep blue African sky as background. So
my last stalk (in any case for this time) with Amanda I had got yet
another nice trophy. The
last afternoon hunting was used to go after guinea fowl and
I got one this afternoon. My
trip to Africa was fantastic and I said to my friends after only a couple
of days – I got the African bug – The bug that demands you to come
back. I
have never before in my life had so many experiences on such a short time
and I am not sure that I have understand it all yet. At
last I would like to thank Steen from Nadania Safaris for a good trip
where everything was in order. I would like to thank Amanda again my
fantastic hunter which led me to these great experiences. All in all there
is a lot of people to thank Roy, John, Thies and Ramalda. As
it can be seen from the text above I have not described so much about the
experiences that Rie and Niels also had. That mainly due to the fact that
I was not in the experiences that they had and therefore has difficulties
to describe them but they also had a fantastic trip to Africa. I have to come back |
The Rhino "Big boy" |
The happy bunch |
Egybtian gees and frankoliner |